Day 19: Slow is Smooth…Smooth is Fast

In Delhi, where I learnt my driving and road-rage skills, people seem to be on the road in all directions, each person manipulating to move just for themselves. Cars, scooters, bikers, cows and lorries, everyone rushing to get someplace. Roads jam up all the time, and no one gets anywhere.

Its the business of thoughts to swirl around the head. It your job to slow down the thoughts so that the right ones reach their destination. They say “slow is smooth, and smooth is fast”. Which is why, if your work requires thinking, you should learn to meditate.

I’m writing about #LivingDeeply this month, and today is day 19.–Patanjali said, योगश्चित्तवृत्तिनिरोधः yoga chitta vrutti nirodah. Yoga is the calming of the swirling mind.We experience thoughts, but we are not thoughts ourselves. We can control the direction, speed and flow of thoughts. By regulating our breath, by withdrawing our senses, and by reining in our awareness, we can learn to slow down the rapid flow of thoughts, or even stop them altogether.Many people are afraid of what might happen when their thoughts stop. When people discuss meditation or silence with me, they often think that it’s not for them, because their heads are filled with thoughts, and they are afraid they may lose their mind if the stop thinking.No one has ever died of stopping their thoughts. People die of holding their breath, stopping food and water, but no one dies of thought stoppage. So that can be moved from your excuse list.Learn to meditate. Professionals should consider it an essential work skill.–